KU admissions overview
Ready to turn your passion for sports into a meaningful career? You’re in the right place.
At the University of Kansas, we’re here to support your career journey in the sport industry.
The admissions team for the KU sport management master’s program* looks at your academic history, your career goals, and how you intend to use this degree moving forward, along with your resume and recommendations from those who can attest to your previous experience.
We want to help simplify your admissions process. Admissions outreach advisors are here to answer any questions regarding the application or the admissions process.
Before starting your application, please review the online sport management application checklist.
*This program is a Master of Science in Education (M.S.E.) degree in health, sport management, and exercise science with an emphasis in sport management.
Admission requirements
To be eligible for acceptance into the KU sport management program, prospective students must provide:
- Completed online application
- Official transcript of a completed bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of 3.0 GPA or higher (Students with a GPA below 3.0 should contact an admissions outreach advisor at 855-639-7799 for more information)
- Resume or CV
- Two letters of recommendation
- Personal Statement
- Application fee: $65 ($100 for international students)
- For international applicants: IELTS or TOEFL scores to prove your English proficiency
Join the Jayhawk roster
Ready to level up your sport industry career? The KU online master’s in sport management offers three starts per year, giving you the flexibility to jump in when the time is right for you.
For our service members and veterans
We take great pride in assisting those who have served our country and strive to ensure that our current service members and military-affiliated students are well supported after enrollment.
If you’re currently a service member in or a veteran of any branch of our nation’s armed forces, you may also qualify for the Yellow Ribbon program. Because this program can cover up to the full amount of tuition, we encourage all of our students who are currently service members or veterans to explore our Veterans Affairs page for more details and reach out to an admissions outreach advisor with any questions at 855-639-7799.
Get in the game with guidance from our admissions team
Ready to apply to KU’s online master’s in sport management but feeling overwhelmed? Jeremiah, our knowledgeable admissions outreach advisor, is here to help. He knows the ins and outs of the application process and can guide you through everything, from crafting a strong personal statement to gathering your letters of recommendation. With his support, you’ll feel confident and prepared every step of the way.
How to Apply
Before starting your application, download our handy one-page application checklist for easy reference. This guide lists all requirements for the University of Kansas online master's degrees in business administration.
Step 1: Create your account
Click on Start New Application in the middle of the screen.
Select Application Type “Active” and “Lawrence/Edwards Graduate Application" from the drop down on the pop up and then click “Create Application.”
Click “Open Application” on the pop up that shows up next.
Step 2: Fill out the basic information
On the Student Details page, fill out at least all the required fields, notated by the red asterisk, and click continue at the bottom of the page.
On the Graduate Program Info page:
- Check “Yes” where you are asked if you are applying for a fully online program.
- In the Academic Intention drop down select “Degree-Seeking.”
- In the Academic Area of Interest select “Health, Sport, and Exercise Sciences”
- Under “Academic Program” select Health Sport, & Exercise Science Online (MSE)
- For Academic Subplan choose Sport Management (Online)(MSE)
From the drop-down menu on the Entry Term page, select the semester that you would like to apply for, then click continue.
On the Academic History page, start typing the name of your undergraduate institution and select it as soon as it shows up as a suggested option. Make sure you select the appropriate degree type from all schools where degrees were conferred.
If you have copies of your official transcripts, attach them to this page. Repeat for each school where you’ve earned a degree.
Click Continue.
Step 3: Add contact info for your recommenders
On the Recommendations page, click Add Recommender.
- Select whether they are academic, colleague or supervisor.
- Fill out each recommender’s contact information accordingly, including an email address.
- NOTE: As soon as you complete this information, an email will be sent to the recommender asking for them to submit their letter of reference on your behalf.
At the bottom of the window you will be asked whether you will waive your right to read the letters. Type your full legal name in place of your signature.
Click Continue.
Step 4: Employment History
Step 5: Add additional information
Click Continue.
Step 6: Upload a personal statement
Type up your statement in a word processor and attach it on this page as a Word document or PDF.
Click Continue.
Step 7: Upload your resume, review and submit
Click Continue.
On the Signature Page, read the entire statement. Type your full name in place of your signature to indicate that you have read and understood the statement.
Click Confirm.
On the Review Page, look for any sections highlighted in red. This indicates required fields that are missing information. Update any sections as needed.
When there are no red fields/missing information in the application, you can click Submit to turn in your application.
Congrats, you’ve officially applied to KU!
Reach out to your admissions outreach advisor for next steps and information on current processing times or testing requirements.
Paying for your degree
The team at KU knows that even when pursuing an affordable degree with great career possibilities, advanced education is an investment. Visit our tuition page to explore detailed information about payment options, scholarships, and other financial resources available to help fund your degree.
Online sport management admissions frequently asked questions
Application deadlines
Does your office need to receive all application materials by the application deadline?
Transcripts
What are the transcript requirements for admission?
Where should I send my transcripts?
The University of Kansas
Office of Graduate Admissions
313 Strong Hall
1450 Jayhawk Blvd.
Lawrence, KS 66045
Do you accept secure electronic transcript delivery service sent directly from the issuing institution?
Can I scan and submit a physical transcript document? If so, what email address should I use?
Do I need to obtain copies of all my transcripts, even if I only took one course at an institution?
I do not have a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. What official documents does KU require?
International students
Do you accept the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) for International Students?
Do I have to submit IELTS/TOEFL scores if I have earned a degree from a U.S. institution?
General admissions questions
How long does my personal statement need to be?
When will I be notified of an admission decision?
Who should write my letters of recommendation?
Is the application deadline flexible?
Can I meet with a program faculty member during the application process?
How does KU’s cohort model allow for unplanned breaks in the program? Am I able to take a leave of absence if necessary?
Students may take a leave of absence for up to one year and still stay active in the program.
Online application questions
How do I start my online application?
What if I forget my password?
What if I have problems while completing the application?
What if I cannot find my school listed on the application?
- Searching within a city or state will return a list of all schools in that selection
- Searches of three or less characters will only return exact matches
- If you still cannot find your school after several attempts, click on "none of the above," and enter your school information manually into your application
If you attended a school outside the U.S. or Canada, please follow this link and enter your school name and other information directly into the application.
What if I cannot upload a file?
- Save and upload your file as a Word doc or PDF. This is the best option for getting past the ASCII character options
- Avoid using special characters ( ~, #, %, & , *, {, }, \, :, , ?, /, |,) in the file name
- Use the icon beside the "Upload File" field to remove existing files. If you cannot remove a file that was uploaded in error, contact your admissions outreach advisor for assistance
If this does not resolve the issue, send the file directly to your admissions outreach advisor.
Can I save my application and work on it later?
What if I need to resend the email reference request to my recommender?
Kick off your dream career in sport management
Through interactive learning, collaborative projects, one-on-one mentorship, and career programming, the University of Kansas master’s in sport management* will help you build relationships with classmates, expert faculty, and an alumni network that spans pro teams, collegiate athletics, agencies, and sport nonprofits.
Join us to experience:
- North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM) aligned curriculum
- Industry simulations and projects via Jayhawkville’s real-world scenarios
- A required, customizable internship
- One-on-one alumni mentorship and connections
*This program is a Master of Science in Education (M.S.E.) degree in health, sport management, and exercise science with an emphasis in sport management.
Take the Next Step
Master the Business of Sports
Ready to transform your passion for sports into a rewarding career? Join the ranks of successful KU sport management alumni making their mark across the sports industry.